Frequency modulator transistor circuits



L. L. KOROS FREQUENCY MODULATOR TRANSISTOR CIRCUITS ,Filed June 30, 1950 Q 327/177011/ /A/ ('/625 ff? 5 .02 'o3 Vous (ems) /fvA//r 6 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 19, 1954 FREQUENCY MODULATOR TRANSISTOR CIRCUITS Leslie L. Koros, Camden, N. J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delavare Application June 30, 1950, Serial No. 171,326

12 Claims.

This invention relates generally to frequency modulation systems, and particlularly relates to a frequency modulator including a semi-conductor circuit.

Various semi-conductor amplifier and oscillator circuits are known in the art. These circuits make use of a semi-conductor device of the type comprising a semi-conducting body having a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact therewith. Devices of this character are usually called transistors. The semi-conducting body may consist, for example, of a germanium or silicon crystal. The base electrode is in low-resistance contact with the crystal and may, for example, be a large-area electrode. The emitter and collector electrodes are in rectifying contact with the crystal and may consist of point electrodes, line electrodes or even large-area electrodes. For operation as an ampliiier, a bias voltage in the forward direction is impressed between emitter and base while a bias voltage in the reverse direction is applied between collector and base. Assuming that the crystal is of the N type, the emitter should be positive with respect to the base while the collector should be negative with respect to the base. If the crystal is of the P type, the potentials must be reversed.

In accordance with the present invention, a transistor circuit is used in a frequency modulation system. Frequency modulation systems are well known in the art. Thus, a vacuum tube may be connected to simulate a reactance which may be coupled across the tank circuit of an oscillator. Variation of the reactance represented by the tube will vary the frequency of the wave developed by the oscillator. It has also been suggested to utilize the variable output resistance of a cathode follower vacuum tube circuit to produce reactance variations at the end of an artiiicial transmission line which is coupled in turn to the tank circuit of the oscillator. In another frequency oscillator circuit a detuned circuit is loaded by a variable resistance, the circuit being coupled inductively to the oscillator tank circuit. In

both methods, the variable internal plate resistance of a vacuum tube is utilized for modulating the frequency of the tank circuit of an oscillator. Furthermore, resistance transforming means must be employed to couple Variable reactive elements into the oscillator tank circuit. These vacuum tube circuits have the disadvantage that they are fairly complicated. Furthermore, the frequency deviation which may be obtained in this manner has a comparatively-small linear range.

It is accordingly the principal object of the present invention to provide a frequency modulation system including a semi-conductor circuit for modulating the frequency of a wave over a substantially linear range in accordance with a modulation signal while the undesired, simultaneously developed amplitude variation of the wave is negligible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and novel transistor circuit for vvarying or modulating the frequency of a tuned circuit or the frequency of a wave developed by an oscillator circuit whereby a large frequency deviation may be obtained which is a function of the modulation signal and which has a wide portion with a linear relationship between the amplitude of the modulation signal and the resulting frequency deviation of the wave.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved frequency modulation system including essentially a semi-conductor circuit wherein a large variation of the equivalent resistance and in some cases an additional variation of the equivalent reactance of the semi-conductor device is produced in response to an impressed signal, thereby to vary directly the frequency of a circuit over a range having an extended linear portion.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a semi-conductor frequency modulation system which requires a relatively small modulation signal power and a small direct current power and consequently a smaller number of amplifier stages between the modulation signal sources such as a microphone and the modulator input.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the equivalent collector impedance of a semi-conductor circuit is a function of the applied emitter voltage and consequently of the emitter current. The equivalent collector impedance is the impedance which appears looking into the collector electrode, that is, between 'the collector and the base. This impedance has a predominantly resistive component and a comparatively small reactive component. It has been found that variation of the equivalent collector impedance with variation of the emitter bias voltage may vbe utilized to vary or modulate the frequency of a tuned circuit. This tuned circuit may, for example, be the frequency-determining circuit or tank circuit of an oscillator. Such a circuit is coupled to the collector electrode. This coupling may be capacitive or inductive. Thus, the oscillator tank circuit may be coupled to the collectorby a capacitor lor by an inductor. Alternatively, an inductor provided in the collector circuit may be magnetically coupled to the oscillator tank circuit. IThe modulation signal is impressed between the emitter and base. The collector circuit may include a source of potential such as a battery and an inductor connected between base and collector. The inductor presents a low impedance to the modulation signal which accordingly does not appear in the collector output circuit. However.. the inductor presents a large impedance to alternating currents at the frequency of the oscilla-tor tank circuit. The semi-conductor circuit may be considered essentiallv a variable resistance which is coupled across the tank circuit, for example, by a capacitor or by an inductor. Accordingly, the capacitive or inductive current across the oscillator tank circuit is a function of the resistance represented by the semi-conductor circuit.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional ohiects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the followingr description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a circuit diagram of frequency modulation system including an oscillator circuit and a semi-conductor circuit embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a graph illustrating the frequency deviation and the amplitude modulation of the wave developed by the oscillator circuit of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the frequency modulation system of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a modified equivalent circuit diagram of the frequency modulation system of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of a frequency modulation system in accordance with the invention, wherein inductive coupling is employed between the semi-conductor circuit and the oscillator circuit;

Figure 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the frequency modulation system of Figure 5: and

Figure '7 is a graph illustrating the dynamic frequency deviation with respect to the modulating voltage.

Referring new to the drawing, in which. like components have been designated by the same reference numerals throughout the gures, and particularly to Figure l, there is illustrated a frequency modulation system in accordance with the invention comprising a semi-conductor device. The semi-conductor device includes a body I0 of semi-conducting material which may consist, for example, of germanium or silicon containing a small but suiiicient number of atomic impurities centers or lattice imperfections as commonly employed for best results in transistors. Germanium is a preferred material for body I9 and may be prepared so as to be an N- type semi-conductor as is well known. The surface of body l@ may be polished and etched in a conventional manner.

Emitter electrode I I, collector electrode i2 and base electrode i3 are in contact with body ID. Emitter electrode II and collector electrode I 2 are in rectifying contact with the body and may be. point contacts or line contacts. Base, electrode I3 is inv a low-resistance contact with body I0 and may be a large-area electrode such as a suitable piece of brass soldered to body I0.

For operation as an amplifier, a forward bias voltage is impressed between emitter l I and base I 3 while a bias voltage in the reverse direction is impressed between collector 2 and. base I3. Assuming that body I5 consists of an N-type crystal, emitter I I should be positive with respect to base I3 while collector l2 should be negative with respect to the base. If body IS consists of a P-type crystal, the potentials must be reversed. For the purpose of applying a bias voltage in the forward direction between emitter Il and base i3 there may be provided a source of potential such as battery I l having its negative terminal grounded. The positive terminal of battery is is connected to emitter through inductor l5 and resistor IS. The provision of resistor I5 is not required for the operation of the circuit. Base electrode i3 is grounded as shown. Battery I? is provided for the purpose of applying a bias voltage in the reverse direction between collector i2 and base I3. To this end the positive terminal of battery il is grounded while its negative terminal is connected to collector I2 through choke coil I8.

In accordance with the present invention, a modulation signal source indicated at 2D is connected to impress a modulation signal between emitter l l and base I3. The modulation signal may, for example, be an audio signal or a direct current voltage as used for automatic frequency control. Thus, modulation signal source 20 may have an output coil 2| inductively coupled to coil l5 in the emitter circuit. Accordingly, the modulation signal is impressed on emitter I I through linearizing resistor I6, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Choke coil I8 has such an inductance that it presents a low impedance to the modulation signal which is thus by-passed to ground in the collector circuit. The resistance of choke coil I3 should be low and should not be substantially larger than the equivalent co1- lector resistance. Battery E4 may be by-passed by capacitor 22 while battery il may be bypassed by capacitor 23 for signal frequency currents. l

The frequency modulation circuit thus described is coupled, for example, by coupling capacitor 25 to an oscillator circuit generally indicated at 26. vOscillator circuit 25 includes a frequency-determining circuit such, for example, as tank circuit 2l consisting of inductor 28 and capacitor 30. The oscillator circuit further includes a vacuum tube triode 3l. Tube 3i may be a tetrode, pentode, a transistor, or any other oscillation generator. The oscillator circuit may also be of the EC' type in which case frequencydetermining circuit 2'! may be replaced by an RC phasing feedback circuit. The cathode of oscillator tube Si is connected to tap ft2 on coil 2B. Grid leak resistor .3.. is connected between the control grid and the cathode of oscillator tube 3l. Tank circuit 2 has one terminal connected to ground while its other terminal 's connected to the control grid of oscillator tube SI by block-- ing capacitor 35 which prevents the grid current from flowing through indumor 2S. The anode of oscillator tube 3i is supplied with a suitable anode voltage by battery 35 having its negative terminal grounded. Battery 35 may be lay-passed for alternating currents at the frequency of the oscillator by capacitor 37. An output wave may be derived from output coil 38 which is magnetically coupled to nductor 2t' or from any 'two points of the tank circuit 21 by direct coupling. One terminal of tank circuit 2 is also connected to coupling capacitor 25.

Oscillator circuit is a conventional Hartley oscillator and its operation is so well known that further explanation is not necessary here. The frequency of the wave developed in tank circuit 2'! is a function of the modulation signal developed by source 20. Thus, the modulation signal varies or modulates the effective emitter bias voltage and thereby varies the emitter current. In accordance with the present invention it has been found that the equivalent collector impedance, that is, the impedance looking into collector electrode l2 is a function of the emitter voltage or the emitter current. lt has also been found that the equivalent collector impedance is complex and includes a preponderant resistive component and a small reactive component which may be inductive or capacitive or even at some similar current value may disappear, depending upon the electrical characteristics of the particular semi-conductor device.

The modulation signal currents are substantially short-circuited by choke coil I8 and battery Il which, as pointed out previously, present a low impedance to the modulation signal. On the other hand, choke coil I8 presents a large impedance to the oscillatory currents at the frequency determined by tank circuit 2l. of suitable resistance may be provided in series with battery il and in shunt with capacitor 23 to prevent collector I2 from acting as a biased detector for the wave in tank circuit 2'?.

Emitter resistor it serves as a linearizing resistor and reduces distortion which may be caused by a curved input voltage-output current characteristic. As disclosed in a copending application of R. F. Schwartz, Serial No. 170,601, filed on June 27, 1950, entitled Amplifiers With High Undistorted Output and assigned to the assignee of this application, this may be due in part to a small variation of the equivalent emitter resistance, that is, the resistance looking into emitter electrode Il. 1t has been found that the provision of linearizing resistor i6 in series with the modulation source will reduce signal distortion.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is illustrated an equivalent circuit of the frequency modulation system of the invention. Tank circuit 2l' includes capacitor Si) and inductor 28. Capacitor 40 and resistor il connected in series across tank circuit 21 represent coupling capacitor 25 and the variable impedance of the semi-conductor device. Thus, variable capacitor t includes the xed capacitance ci coupling capacitor 25 and the variable reactance which appears looking into collector electrode I2. Variable resistor il represents the variabie resistance which appears looking into the collector electrode. Accordingly, coupling capacitor draws more or less capacitive current from the tank circuit 2l' in accordance with the instantaneous value of the equivalentv `collector resistance. Oscillator tank 2l is loaded by a variable resistor di through coupling capacitor 4i).

IThe variation of the resistance of resistor 4l will cause a certain amount of amplitude variation. However, this amplitude variation may be kept below any desired value by selecting the oscillator tank capacitor Si? so that it has a low reactance. Gn the other hand, in order to produce a large amount of requency deviation for a given variation of resistor i?! and a given capacitance of capacitor i0 in Figure 3 or 25 ln Figurel respectively theA reactance of tank capacitor 3u A resistor should be large. Howeve a sound compromise' is possible between these contradictory requirements.

By way of example, the tank circuit 21 may have a resonant frequency of 1.04 mc. (megaoycles). Capacitor 30 of tank circuit 2E may have a capacitance of 1,000 mmf. (micromicrofarads) while the capacitance of coupling capacitor 25 may be 47 mmf. In general, the capacitance of coupling capacitor 25 should not be substantially more than one tenth the capacitance of capacitor 30 of tank circuit 21 if a small amplitude modulation is desired. The inductance of coil i8 may amount to 5 millihenries and the resistance of linearizing resistor may be 510 ohms. Bypass capacitors 22 and 23 should have a low reactance compared with the resistance of linearizing resistance i0 and with the equivalent emitter and collector impedances.

With these circuit constants andV with the frequency modulation system of Figure l the curves shown in Figure 2 have been obtained. Thus, curve Il illustrates the static frequency deviation of tank circuit 2l with respect to the emitter current in milliamperes (see the left hand margin of Figure 2). Curve l5 indicates the amplitude variation of the wave developed in tank circuit 2l (see the right hand margin of Figure 2). The amplitude variation is given in volts rms. The mean frequency of tank circuit 27 is 1.0306 mc. and the total frequency deviation over the linear portion of curve it is $3.4 kc. (kilocycles) correspending to an emitter current between75 and .95 milliamperes. Over this range of emitter current variation the amplitude variation of the wave developed in tank circuit 21 amounts to 4.2 per cent which is a reasonable low Value. Figure 7 illustrates the dynamic frequency deviation curve 60 with respect to the modulation signal. Dotted line 5I indicates the frequency deviation required for broadcast purposes.

The frequency-modulated carrier wave developed in tank circuit 2l and obtained from output coil 38 may be utilized at that frequency. Alternatively, the frequency of the frequencymodulated carrier wave may be multiplied which will increase the frequency deviation as is well known. An amplitude modulation in the order of magnitude of 4 per cent will be substantially suppressed by the stages used for the frequency multiplication. The linear frequency deviation obtained with the frequency modulation system of the invention is larger than is required for a frequency-modulated broadcast Wave.

The reactance variation of the equivalent collector impedance may help to increase the frequency deviation produced in the frequency modulation system of the invention. Thus, if the equivalent collector reactance is capacitive and when the capacitance and the resistance decrease simultaneously, the semi-conductor circuit produces a larger frequency deviation. However, if the capacitance increases while the resistance decreases, the frequency deviation will be reduced. If the equivalent collector reactance is inductive and increases with decreasing resistance, the frequency deviation increases and vice Versa.

It has been found that the equivalent collector resistance may vary between 600 and 5,000 ohms, while the emitter current is varied by about 1 milliampere. Since the equivalent emitter resistance is of the order of 200 ohms only a small input power of the modulation signal is required to develop the relatively large change of the equivalent collector resistance. This is. a unique aces-,902?.

7, feature: oftthe lsemiconductorl circuit of ythe a vention whichLmakesv it particularlyuseful as a, frequency modulator.

Theaequivalent circuit of Figure 3 may also be transformed into the equivalent circuit of Figure 41as: will be evident. In the equivalent circuit of: Figure 4, tank circuit 2l is shunted by variable'. resistor 46 and variable capacitor il?. Capacitor 41 includes again the fixed capacitance ofz'coupling'capacitor 25 and the variable equivalent collector'reactance Whileresistor 46 includes the-variable vcollector resistance. The circuit of Figure4'corresponds to' the values of the resistancerand reactance` which may readily be measuredfor a'imodulator, for example: with :a Q meter.

Thecircuit of Figure-'5 illustrates avmodica'- tioniofthe'frequency modulation systemV of the invention. Modulation Asource 20 is coupled by capacitor 50 to the `junction point between resistor' I6v and coil |5.` In other words, the source isagain connected in series with linearizing resistor-116.1 Tank circuit Il is coupled to the semiconductor circuit by'inductor 5l and capacitor 52 arrangedin series. The reactance of capacitor 52 islow compared to that of inductor l. Accordingly, the semi-conductor circuit is inductively coupled-.to tankrcircuit 21 as illustrated in Figure 6:-where inductor 53 and resistor 54 are shunted across tank circuit 2l. Resistor 54 again represents'the equivalent collector resistance. Inductort53-represents Vthe fixedzinductance of inductor 5l `inseries with capacitor 52 and the variable equivalent collector `reactance. The circuit of Figure 5 otherwise operates in the same manner asth'efcircuitof Figure l; A device such as, for example, a triode, a pentode," a transistor which represents with tank circuit 21 anoscillator, may be connected to output terminalsl 55-and a ground return;

There has thus been disclosed af frequency modulation system .including a semi-conductor circuit. The frequency deviation may be produced over a comparatively'large linear range and requires a small driving power. quency deviation is caused by a variation of the equivalent collector resistance which may be aided by'a simultaneous collector reactance variation. The circuit is comparatively simple and the amplitudevariation may be'kept very small.

What'is claimed isz l, A; circuit forfvarying the' frequency of a' tuned circuit comprising a semi-conductor device including' a semi-conducting'body, abase electrode; auf emitter electrode and" acollector telectrode iny contactnwithi said body; means1 for "ap-- plying operating potentials tosaid' electrodes including asourcefof'potential and an impedance elementserially connected between `said base and collectorelectrodes, means forY applying a signal effectively between said emitter and'base` elec-4 trodes; a tuned" circuit,` and `means,` connected serially withl the collector-base electrodepath of said semi-conductor device for 'coupling said tunedzcircuit to. saidV collector electrode,A whereby- 6 saidl signal' source'varies the frequency `of`said tuned circuit Ain accordance with saidsignal.'

2. A? circuitforv modulating'the frequency of a tuned'circuit comprising al semi-conductor"de vice including 'a'.semi-conducting body, a base electrode; an" emitter'electrode and a' collectorV electrode inxcontact with: said body;Y means for applying: operating potentials to :said vvelectrodesncludng-atscurcezof :potential and' aninductor 1' seriallyfconnected between saidibaseland collecter '1' The freelectrodes, means for applying a:modulationtsig-,l

nal effectively between said emitter and'. basey electrodes, a tuned circuit, and means connected serially with the collector-baser electrode',y path of said semi-conductordevice for couplingsaid tuned circuit to said collector electrode, whereby said modulation source modulates the frequency.

of said tuned circuit in accordance witlr said modulation signal.

3. A circuit for modulating the frequency of:

a tuned circuit comprising a semi-conductor device including a semi-conducting body, a'base. electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, meansfor" applying a bias potential in the forward direction trodes, a tuned circuit, and reactive means con-- nected serially with the base-collectorelectrode path of said semi-conductor device for coupling said tuned circuit to said collectory electrode;l

whereby said modulation source modulates thev frequency of said tuned circuit over. a range having a substantially linear portion in accordance with said modulation signal.

4.' A frequency modulation system comprisingan oscillator having a frequency-determining ciri cuit,'.a semi-conductor device including a. semi-- conducting body, a base electrode, an. emitterF electrode and a collector electrode in contactwith said body, means for applying a bias voltage'inl the forward direction between said emitter and.:

base electrodes, means for applying a bias voltage in the reverse direction between saidcollec= tor and rbase electrodes including an impedance element connected between said collector and base electrodes, said impedance element'lriaving` a resistance which is substantially not larger thani the resistance which appears looking into said" collector electrode, reactive means. comiected serially with the base-collector electrode path.`

of said semi-conductor device for coupling said frequency-determining circuit to saidv collector electrode, and a source of modulation signalconnected effectively between said emitter andvbase.`

electrodes, thereby to vary thefrequency of said` frequency-determining circuity as a function :ofi said modulation signal.

5. A frequency modulation system comprisingr 1an oscillator having a frequency determining circuit, asemi-conductor device including a.- semiconducting. body, a base electrode, an emitter.'

electrode and a collector electrode in contact with saidzbody, means for applying a bias voltage in' the'forward direction between said emitter. and baseelectrodes, means for applying a bias voltage in .the reversedirection between said collector and base electrodes including aninductorconnected between said collector and base electrodes,

Areactivemeans connectedserially -between said frequency determining circuit and said collector electrode for coupling Said frequency determiningv circuit to said collector electrode, and a source of modulation signal connected effectively between said emitter and base electrodes, thereby to vary the frequency of said frequency-determining circuit as a function of said modulationsignal.:

6. A i frequency-` 'modulation' lsystem comprising an. oscillator-having a resonant circuit, asemiconductor device including a semi-conducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, means for applying a bias voltage in the forward direction between said emitter and base electrodes, means for applying a bias voltage in the reverse direction between said collector and base electrodes including a source of voltage and an inductor serially connected between said collector and base electrodes, reactive means connected serially between said resonant circuit and the base-collector electrode path of said semi-conductor device for reactively coupling said resonant circuit to said collector electrode, and a source of modulation signal connected eiectively between said emitter and base electrodes thereby to vary the frequency of the Wave developed by said oscillator in accordance with said modulation signal.

7. A system as deiined in claim 6 wherein said reactive means for coupling comprises a capacitor connected between said resonant circuit and said collector electrode and having a capacitance which is small compared to the capacitance of said resonant circuit.

8. A system as dened in claim 6 wherein said reactive means for coupling comprises a capacitor and an inductor connected serially between said collector electrode and said resonant circuit.

9. A system as dened in claim 6 wherein said reactive means for coupling comprises an induen tive coupling between said inductor and said resonant circuit.

10. A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said inductor presents a low impedance to said modulation signal.

11. A frequency modulation system comprising an oscillator including a frequency-determining resonant circuit, a semi-conductor device including a semi-conducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, means connecting said base electrode to a point of substantially xed potential, a first source of potential and a linearizing resistor connected serially between said base and emitter electrodes for applying a bias voltage in the forward direction between said electrodes, a source of modulation signal connected eiectively in series between said rst source of potential and said resistor, a second source of potential and an inductor connected serially between said collector and base electrodes for applying a bias voltage in the reverse direction between said electrodes, said inductor presenting a small reactance to modulation signal currents, and means for coupling said resonant circuit between said collector and base electrodes, thereby to modulate the apparent resistance and reactance connected across said resonant circuit in accordance with said modulation signal.

12. A frequency modulation system comprising an oscillator including a frequency-determining resonant circuit, a semi-conductor device including a semi-conducting body, a base electrode, an emitter electrode and a collector electrode in contact with said body, lmeans connecting said base electrode to a point of substantially xed potential, a rst source of potential and a linearizing resistor connected serially between said base and emitter electrodes for applying a bias voltage in the forward direction between said electrodes, a source of modulation signal connected eiectively in series between said rst source of potential and said resistor, a second source of potential and an inductor connected serially between said collector and base electrodes for applying a bias voltage in the reverse direction between said electrodes, said inductor presenting a small reactance to modulation signal currents, and a capacitor connected between said collector electrode and said resonant circuit for reactively coupling said resonant circuit between said collector and base electrodes, thereby to modulate the apparent resistance and reactance connected across said resonant circuit in accordance with said inoduu lation signal for modulating the frequency of the wave developed by said oscillator over a range having an extended substantially linear portion.

LESLIE L. KOROS.

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